Peshawar Zalmi secured a place in the PSL 2026 final after a convincing win over Islamabad United in the qualifier, thanks to an outstanding century from Babar Azam. The Zalmi captain produced a composed and authoritative innings that guided his team to a strong total and ultimately set up a comfortable victory.
Babar Anchors Zalmi’s Strong Total
Batting first in Karachi, Peshawar Zalmi made the most of favorable conditions and posted 221 for 7 in their allotted overs. Babar Azam led from the front with a well-crafted 103 off 59 deliveries, combining timing and placement with controlled aggression. His innings included a series of boundaries that kept the scoreboard moving consistently.
Mohammad Haris provided early momentum with a quick cameo, helping Zalmi build a solid foundation during the powerplay. After his departure, Babar continued to dominate alongside Kusal Mendis, who contributed a valuable middle-order knock. The partnership ensured Zalmi maintained a healthy run rate through the middle overs.
Islamabad United Falter in Chase
Chasing a challenging target, Islamabad United began positively with an attacking approach in the early overs. However, once the opening momentum slowed, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. The middle overs proved decisive, as Zalmi’s bowlers applied pressure and disrupted the chase.
Despite a few contributions from the top order, Islamabad struggled to maintain partnerships. The required run rate continued to climb, and the batting lineup could not recover from the setbacks.
Zalmi Return to PSL Final
With this win, Peshawar Zalmi have reached their first PSL final since 2021. The team’s balanced performance with both bat and ball highlighted their strong campaign this season. Babar Azam’s leadership and consistency have been key factors in their success.
Islamabad United, meanwhile, will have another opportunity to reach the final through the next knockout fixture.
